Recently, my partner and I marked our 15th wedding anniversary, and with each passing year, we feel like we’re somehow beating the odds. Perhaps it’s our deep love for each other that keeps us together, or maybe it’s just our stubbornness that won’t let us quit.
I still vividly recall our first anniversary. We were so proud, well-rested, and wrinkle-free. Life felt like it was just beginning. At 26, with two incomes and no kids, we enjoyed dinners that were blissfully free of crying children. Oh, how I wish I could go back and shake my younger self, shouting, “Cherish all that spontaneous intimacy, you fool!”
But, oh how times have changed, along with our anniversary celebrations. Here’s a glimpse into how:
- Marking the Date
- Then: My calendar was blissfully empty, except for a big red heart on our special day.
- Now: This year, our anniversary coincided with the first day of school, and although it still had a big red heart, it stood for a different reason altogether.
- Celebratory Plans
- Then: We eagerly planned a couples’ spa retreat, complete with candles, massages, and soft music.
- Now: The only retreat we managed this year was a dash away from the chaotic school parking lot.
- Gift Exchange
- Then: We stuck to the tradition of gifting something made of paper—I think I received a journal?
- Now: I had to Google the official gift for a 15th anniversary, which is crystal, and honestly, I didn’t care enough to make it happen.
- Personal Grooming
- Then: Showering and shaving were daily rituals, no big deal.
- Now: My husband knows it’s a special day if both of those things occur.
- Dining Out
- Then: We dined at an upscale restaurant with an array of fancy forks.
- Now: We didn’t secure a babysitter but still managed to go out for dinner—with plenty of forks for our kids, who threw them on the floor.
- Creaking Noises
- Then: Our bed creaked.
- Now: My knees creak.
- Toys
- Then: *Ahem*
- Now: The only battery-operated item in our bedroom is a stuffed snowman that, at the most inappropriate moments, announces, “Hi! I’m Olaf! Wanna be my friend?”
- Dreams
- Then: We envisioned a life full of children, a dog, and owning a home.
- Now: We mainly dream about sleeping in and paying off our mortgage in the next nine hundred years.
After all these years together, my partner and I have mastered the essence of true romance. I support him while he yells at the kids, and he always ensures the toilet seat is down at night, preventing any midnight mishaps.
We’ve discovered that our special moments don’t need to be extravagant or meticulously planned. They often occur when we share a knowing glance across the room—like when he looked at me recently, thinking about our 4-year-old and her colorful language, and I nodded in agreement.
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Summary:
Our anniversary celebrations have transformed over the years, evolving from carefree dinners and romantic getaways to navigating the chaos of family life. But through it all, the bond we share has only deepened, proving that love doesn’t always need grand gestures—it thrives in the little moments of understanding and laughter.